What could be causing my dog to have diarrhea

At Dunnellon Animal Hospital, we see a lot of dogs suffering from diarrhea brought on by a litany of different causes. Let's talk about what you can do as a pet owner to help treat and stop sporadic and chronic cases.

Doggy Diarrhea

Mild bouts of diarrhea are very common in dogs and can be caused by mild intestinal distress after your dog ate a small amount of something that doesn't agree with them, such as table scraps, or from switching to a new dog food brand or flavor.

With that said, there are also a number of more serious reasons why your dog could be experiencing Diarrhea.

But what causes diarrhea in dogs?

Many, though not all, of the explanations for diarrhea in dogs include:

• Stress or anxiety
• Change in diet or treats
• Eating garbage or spoiled food
• Ingestion of foreign objects such as toys, bones, and fabric
• Ingesting toxins or poisons
• Viral infections such as parvovirus, distemper, or coronavirus
• Parasites - roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia
• Bacterial infections - such as salmonella
• Pancreatitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Colitis
• Liver or kidney disease
• Intestinal cancer
• Medications such as antibiotics

when should I contact my vet?

With such a diverse range of potential ailments, it can be difficult to know when you should contact your vet about your canine companion's diarrhea!

If your dog has a single episode of diarrhea and displays no other symptoms, it is likely not a cause for concern. Monitor your dog's bowel movements to see if diarrhea persists. More than 2 episodes could indicate a problem, so it's a good idea to call your vet if diarrhea has persisted for three or more episodes.

If your dog is straining to pass small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a toy or another foreign object. This is a very serious concern and needs veterinary attention right away, and you should contact your vet or the nearest emergency animal hospital for care immediately.

Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short period of time could be a sign of a very serious health issue, particularly if the patient is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your pet is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea.

Dogs presenting additional symptoms alongside diarrhea should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms, consider contacting a vet right away to make an appointment:

• Blood in stool
• Unusual drooling
• Vomiting
• Lack of Appetite
• Weakness
• Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)

Whenever in doubt, if your dog is displaying any symptoms which cause you concern, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet's symptoms indicate a need for further examination.

What treatment is recommended for a dog suffering persistent diarrhea? 

Never give your dog human medications without consulting your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter medications that work well for people can be toxic to dogs.

If your dog has had one or two runny or soft stools, you may want to give your dog some time to recover by fasting for 12 - 24 hours.

A bland diet for a couple of days may help to resolve your pup's issue. Plain-cooked white rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) may help quell their intestinal issues. When symptoms subside, gradually reintroduce their regular food back into their diet.

Natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, egg with no oil added, and specially formulated dog foods are all good dietary alternatives to help keep your dog comfortable while they are sick.

In chronic cases of diarrhea in dogs, your vet might prescribe medication to alleviate discomfort and harden their stool.

When it comes to your best buddy's health, it is always best to err on the side of caution. Preemptively seeking advice from your vet at the first sign of concern allows them to guide you on the most effective treatment plan to get your dog up and running again!

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Diarrhea is unformed or loose stools, usually occurring in larger amounts and/or more often than usual. Diarrhea is not a disease but rather a clinical sign of many different diseases. Diarrhea associated with minor conditions can often be resolved quickly with simple treatments. Diarrhea may also be the result of serious or life-threatening illnesses such as organ system failure or cancer. Even diarrhea caused by mild illnesses may become serious if treatment is not begun early enough.

What causes diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the result of faster movement of fecal material through the intestine, combined with decreased absorption of water, nutrients, and electrolytes. If the main sign of illness in your dog is diarrhea, a relatively simple problem such as an intestinal infection from bacteria, coccidia, or intestinal worms (hookworms, roundworms, whipworms) may be the cause. In dogs, dietary indiscretion (eating garbage or other offensive or irritating materials) or a change in diet are common causes of acute (sudden) diarrhea. Stress, especially following travel, boarding, or other changes in the environment, can also cause acute diarrhea

Diarrhea can also be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder such as allergies, bacterial or viral infections (such as parvovirus), inflammatory bowel disease, organ dysfunction, or other systemic illnesses.

How serious is diarrhea in dogs?

The seriousness of diarrhea depends on how long it persists and how many other clinical signs accompany it. If your dog has severe bloody diarrhea or is showing more generalized signs of illness such as weakness, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or dehydration, the cause may be more serious and medical attention should be sought as soon as possible. For example, diarrhea is one of the first signs seen in parvovirus, a viral infection that can cause life-threatening illness in susceptible dogs.

"...diarrhea is one of the first signs seen in parvovirus, a viral infection that can cause life-threatening illness in susceptible dogs."

How is the cause of diarrhea determined?

The nature of the diarrhea, such as its color, consistency, smell, and frequency, is important in determining the cause. Your veterinarian will usually request a sample of fresh fecal material be brought to your appointment. You may also be asked to provide answers to a series of questions. To help you prepare this information for your veterinarian, see the handout "Diarrhea Questionnaire for Dogs".

In mild cases of diarrhea, further diagnostic testing may be deferred unless initial treatment fails, or the condition worsens. Additional tests may include blood work, stool and rectal swab samples for parasite examination, DNA testing, bacterial culture, radiographs (X-rays), ultrasound, and endoscopic exam.

What is the treatment for diarrhea?

For otherwise healthy adult dogs, your veterinarian may advise you to withhold food for up to 24 hours or to feed small quantities of a veterinary diet for gastrointestinal problems. These diets are specifically formulated with a balance of fibers that feed the good bacteria found in your dog’s intestine and with certain antioxidants that support your dog’s immune system while recovering.

"Anti-diarrheal agents, de-wormers, and/or probiotics may be prescribed."

Anti-diarrheal agents, de-wormers, and/or probiotics (bacteria that support intestinal health) may be prescribed. There are several probiotic products that may be helpful in dogs with diarrhea. As the quality and effectiveness of these products are not always known, consult your veterinarian before offering anything to your dog. Many cases of acute diarrhea respond quite readily to this conservative treatment, allowing the body's healing mechanisms to correct the problem, without the initial cause ever being established. As the stools return to normal, your dog’s regular diet can usually be transitioned from the prescribed veterinary diet over seven to ten days.

If your dog is not improving within two to four days, further tests or more aggressive treatment may be necessary. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can result in significant dehydration and metabolic disturbances due to fluid loss and your dog may require hospitalization for intravenous fluid therapy or other, more intensive, treatments.

What is the prognosis?

The prognosis depends upon the severity of the diarrhea, the specific diagnosis, and your dog's response to treatment. Most cases of simple diarrhea will make a full recovery, while dogs with chronic diarrhea may require dietary management or medication to keep the condition under control.

When should I be concerned about my dogs diarrhea?

Why does my dog suddenly have diarrhea?

What can you give a dog for diarrhea?